With any condition, there is always the question of "how did I get it?" Many people argue over nature versus nurture as the answer, but the real answer is probably a bit of both. We all know there is a genetic component to Parkinson's, but what about our environment? Let's go over everything you need to know about environmental factors and Parkinson's.
How to minimize your risk of environment exposure
Exercise to keep your body healthy.
Eat an anti-inflammatory based diet.
Eat organic fruits and vegetables to minimize pesticide* exposure.
Do not use pesticides* in your yard or garden.
Avoid living near a golf course (pesticide* exposure).
Do not open your windows if you live near a busy road. Some suggest using your AC unit to help filter the air in the hot months.
Use air purifiers, especially if you are living an a big city.
Check what is in your water. Have your water tested, call the city, or look at where you pay your water bill to assess for lead in your water.
Avoid regularly flying or working on small planes or living near small, private airports. Small airplanes (not commercial ones) use lead-based fuel.
Avoid high risk activities that might lead to a head injury. There is an association with an increased risk of developing PD years after the injury, but the reason is not known.
Occupations: farming, teaching, extractive workers, production workers, metal workers, physicians, and pilots are are occupations that have an association with a higher rate of PD.
*Paraquat
Paraquat is a major topic in the Parkinson's community. There are several studies showing there is a link between paraquat and Parkinson's, with pesticide applicators having a 2.5x increased risk of developing PD. This pesticide is unfortunately a widely used commercial herbicide in the US. Paraquat is banned in 32 countries, including the European Union and China. In 2020, the EPA reapproved paraquat for the use in the United States. This means paraquat will remain legal for sale and use by commercial licensed users in the US for the next 15 years.
What if you already have Parkinson's?
Research suggests that in people who are already diagnosed, environmental exposures have an influence on progression of Parkinson's. This means that for those who have more exposures, it is believed they have a faster progression. Limiting your exposures before and after a PD diagnosis is so crucial to ensure you are living well.
It is impossible to avoid every exposure, and I am sure there are a lot more exposures that should be on that list. The tough part is that even though we are learning more about environmental exposures each year, lots of exposures will take years before the science community starts to see it's impact. The best advice on limiting exposures would be to pick the ones that you are most exposed to and try to limit them. Limiting exposure comes down to what you value in life. Some of you may love living near a golf course or cannot afford to eat organic foods. There is no right or wrong answer, just an educated answer that fits your lifestyle and values.
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